Most of the blog is derived from Chapter 13 “Labor and/as Love: Exploring the Commons of Roller Derby” by David Fagundes, in the book ‘Governing Knowledge Commons’ ed Frischmann, Madison, Strandburg.
The central question in a great deal of neoliberal theory concerns ‘incentives’. What motivates people to do work? This is relevant when considering the governance and management of any commons, but especially knowledge commons. How and why to people create by using a shared/common body of knowledge and a small community.
Daniel Pink in his book ‘Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us’ suggests that extrinsic rewards – like money are very good incentives for motivating us when work is menial and repetitive. However the same research indicates that motivation for creative thinking and work – extrinsic rewards not on fails to produce better creations but can actually degrade the creative solutioning.
The basic model of cost-benefit calculus assumes that work is a means to an end. This model does not work for any work we would consider a ‘labor of love’ – where the work is the reward – the process is the ends.
Research seeking to understand human motivations beyond a cost-benefit framework suggest at least three factors inspiring the labors of love.
1 – Autonomy. People are more likely to work well in situations where they believe they are choosing to work rather than having to work or are coerced into work.
2 – Mastery and Effectiveness. When people have work that enables a sense of achieving efficacy and mastery they will tend to enact more diligence and feel more satisfaction.
3 – Purpose. When people feel connected to a greater good or goal that they believe in they will be more motivated – regardless of extrinsic reward.
Understanding that work can be a labor of love helps to resolve problems of why anyone would participate in creating and governing a commons – especially one involving knowledge, culture and community. Such ‘commons work’ is often not seen as drudgery – rather it can be felt as a service and a source of joy.
The concept of a labor of love helps us understand the importance and vitality of the rise of a commons. People mostly participate in a commons – NOT for the promise of a big pile of money or fame. They are generally inspired by the ability to create a space within which they can exercise their autonomy, controlling the development of what they care about, and having a sense of purpose beyond themselves – becoming a part of something larger.
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